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- Orange turns green !
- Here is finally the first electric KTM that we have been talking about for so many years! Available from the end of October, it was presented to us in Saalbach, the Mecca of Austrian downhill mountain biking. Sensational !!!
- Discovery !
- Motor
- Drums
- In the saddle
- City
- Paths
- All Terrain
- Braking
- Convenient
- For who ?
- Some more info on Freeride E-XC.
- Coordinate 3 E-Parks to try the bike:
- SENART E-PARK
- ELECTRIC MOTO PARK
- MECHANICAL POLE OF ALES
Orange turns green !
Here is finally the first electric KTM that we have been talking about for so many years! Available from the end of October, it was presented to us in Saalbach, the Mecca of Austrian downhill mountain biking. Sensational !!!
Doing off-road without noise or smoke, that could reconcile the green motorcycle with Mother Nature and a lot of our fellows who look at us askance. This “gentle” off-road practice does not prevent you from having fun, nor from piloting. On the contrary, it opens up new horizons for us…
Discovery !
We have known the KTM Freeride E by sight for a long time. If the economic situation had not been bad in 2008/2009, it would have been on the market for a long time, since we were already expecting it in 2011! Never mind, during this time the bike has progressed, even receiving liquid cooling for the engine. In short, aesthetically, it has rather a good motorcycle head this KTM, designed by Kiska. It’s a change from the new manufacturers who came to electric two-wheelers, without going through the thermal box, who felt obliged to also innovate on the design, as if the technique was not enough. Sometimes, undoubtedly too focused on the technique, they simply forgot the design…. Fortunately, here it is really successful. In addition, electric motorcycle specialists are rarely 2-wheel specialists, which earned us “unworthy” part-cycles. There, we are dealing with real pros, real bikers, real enthusiasts. It gives a real part-cycle, with suspensions, a frame and brakes worthy of the name and even better than that! We’ll talk about it again later. Let’s focus a little on the heart of the machine, namely its engine and its batteries.
Motor
The propulsion is ensured by a synchronous motor with permanent magnets, in direct engagement with the rear wheel via a gear train which ensures a primary reduction in a ratio of 2.4. It then controls a conventional secondary transmission by chain, ratio 11/48. There is therefore no clutch or gearbox here. The aluminum housings which enclose the engine and the transmission, also contain the EMS, (Engine Management System, in French, the calculator). The "nominal" power is 15 hp at 5500 rpm, which allows this Freeride E-XC to be driven with a simple A1 license. Benefiting from electric propulsion, we temporarily benefit from a “peak” power greater than the standard. Here it reaches 22 hp at 4500 rpm. Finally, bikers know it well, what counts on a motorcycle is the torque, because it is this which favors the sensations and the acceleration. Here it is 42 Nm, from 0 rpm. A value worthy of a 400 cm3.
Drums
The Freeride E-XC carries 2.6 kWh of batteries for a weight of 28 kg. The batteries are made up of 360 Samsung cells assembled in a block (in Poland). It contains the BMS (Battery Management System). The nominal voltage is 260 V, with a maximum of 300 volts. Values that we are not used to handling, but taking into account the powers involved, it would not be possible to use 12 or 24 and even 48 V. This would result in colossal current intensities (P = UI, if your electricity courses are too far). It would therefore require huge section cables, very heavy and expensive, with losses by Joule effect just as enormous. As at EDF, the solution therefore involves high voltage.
In the saddle
With my small legs (1.67 m, from head to toe), I have a little trouble getting on this KTM when the ground is sloping, hear in TT. On the dish, it’s fine. Once in the saddle, the flexibility of the suspensions makes the bike go down significantly and you easily put your feet on the ground, despite the 910 mm empty. The narrowness of the E Freeride is no stranger to this. The ergonomics are good and the levers fall well to hand. The left controls the rear brake, since there is no gear or clutch. On the other hand, we would have liked a parking brake, like on a scooter, because here, no way to block the motorcycle when you are on a slope. Even seated on it, you should always keep one hand on the handlebars (on slopes) and apply the brake. On a "classic" machine, you just put your foot on the brake pedal and you don’t tire.
Once the ignition is on, on the side of the headlight, a small dashboard located just behind the steering column indicates the battery charge level and the active mode. The pilot can choose “economy” 1, “standard” 2, or “Advanced” 3, the latter making driving more manly. LEDs indicate the charge level. Green means full charge, then the level drops and the 3 bars go out. When the lower one (orange) is on alone, there is still between 40 and 20% of the capacity. Below 20% this led turns red. Then arrived at 0, it flashes in red, the power drops and you can return slowly to the fold…. if you are not too far! In front of the handlebars, a classic counter shows you the speed, km, lap times, driving time, average speed, etc. It is enlightened.
Okay this time we’re ready to take off ?
City
It is not with this model that KTM will strengthen its links with Akrapovic! Once the ignition is on, everything lights up, but nothing happens, even if you turn the handle. This avoids the wrong maneuvers, the buddy who passes and tries the stroke of the throttle, sending you crashing into a wall…. Not a noise then, but to move forward, you have to put a little push on the "starter" button. The selected mode indicator light comes on and tells you that you are “ready to race”. We turn the throttle gently and the bike takes off in silence. It’s really nice, not having to go through speed and not worrying about anything! The accelerations are straightforward. As the speed increases, the "mechanical" noises are more present: the whistling of the engine, the noise of the chain and the nipples of the studded tires mean that on the motorcycle, it is far from being. total calm, but seeing the gaze of passers-by, you can tell that the bike is very discreet! The high speeds are all relative, since the maximum is around 72 km / h. This choice of a short gear ratio allowed KTM to do without a gearbox, without too much penalizing the acceleration or the ability to cross off-road. Still, this is not an urban motorcycle, nor a trail (KTM denies it). Its road performances are anecdotal, they are only used for connecting routes. Note all the same that KTM will release a "supermotard" version at the Cologne show. We will then see his vocation. The speeches of the engineers on site clearly suggested that “E mobility” was at the heart of the manufacturer’s concerns. We should not be long in seeing novelties in this area (the KTM E Speed scooter?)
Paths
Here Freeride E is on its favorite terrain. Thanks to its silence and the quality of its suspensions, we fully appreciate the landscape, magnificent in Austria. The absence of vibration, a consequence of the elimination of the reciprocating movement of the piston, reinforces the comfort and availability of the pilot, either for tourism or for piloting. Indeed, more than in town, having to worry only about the brakes and the grip of “gas” constitutes a decisive advantage. A stony hairpin bend is approaching, we slow down and put the gas back on the exit, to slide the bike over the torque. Here, the 72 km / h maximum is not too disturbing, as long as it whirls around. On the other hand, the times are interesting and far superior to those of a 125. It pulls really hard. Thanks to the high torque, we can clearly see slow curves. When the path narrows, to turn into an ATV single in the undergrowth, the reasonable weight of the motorcycle (110 kg) and the engine’s resources are the rider’s best allies. Handy, the bike behaves like a big ATV without pedal, heavy, but torquey. We then discover great crossing abilities that allow the novice that I am to go through technical places that I did not think I could reach. It is very effective! And of course, in these conditions, the silence is golden, so much so that the cows encountered on the roads do not push each other. Don’t even be afraid, it’s up to you to make the detour! A sign that does not deceive.
All Terrain
Having very limited capacities in this area, I will not judge the machine as an experienced enduro rider. KTM has prepared a small circuit for us which allows us to make jumps and climb some nice climbs. Mode 2 allows better control of the motorcycle. The 3, too brutal for my taste, will undoubtedly be better suited to the more informed who would like to be able to "put a little clutching" to make the bike more easily stall. Here the quality of the suspensions and the cycle part, shows that we are definitely not dealing with a trail, but more with an enduro motorcycle. The weight on the front remains an important factor and it is necessary to pull well on the handlebars to ensure a correct landing of the jump. For the novice, the absence of box allows to concentrate on the relief. An excellent school bike that will tire you less quickly, always thanks to the absence of noise and vibration.
Braking
Like the rest of the components, the braking is excellent, very dosable and you get used very quickly to the rear control on the handlebars. The power is sufficient considering the weight and the speeds reached and the maxxis trial max tires provide excellent grip in all circumstances. We won’t say more, it’s perfect !
Convenient
Battery life varies depending on use. It is between a little over 30 ‘at the bottom, or almost a round of cross country, which will be more than enough to "rinse your arms", if like me you are not a pro..
For a walk, it is about 1 hour, which allows for a nice trip, if you have brought the motorbike on a plateau, or if you live near a forest. Allow an average of 45 ‘if you ride a little hard. It’s limited, but not ridiculous at all. Then you have to reload. In 50 minutes, you have recovered 80% of the autonomy on a minimum 10 amp outlet. Allow 1 hour 20 minutes for 100% charge. If taken nearby there is! If you are fortunate, you can buy a spare battery. Located under the saddle, it can be removed by removing 4 screws, it’s very fast, but it costs € 3,270 including all taxes. Whoops ! By the way, its service life is such that after 700 charge / discharge cycles its residual capacity will still be 80%. Let’s do the math: at 45 minutes of autonomy and 50 km / h on average, that’s about 25,000 km traveled (since the loss is decreasing). In use, for a price of around 13 cts per KWh (taking into account the subscription), 1 hour of motorbike costs you around 40 cts. You only have for any maintenance, the chain and the suspensions, as well as the transmission oil (15 cl every 50 h). No engine to redo, no valves to adjust, no spark plug, no air filter and of course no gasoline!…. but after the 700 cycles, it will be necessary to deal with an average autonomy dropped from 45 ‘to 36’…. it’s starting to get short. With a motorbike sold for € 11,525 incl..
For who ?
KTM is developing E parks dedicated to this motorcycle. You can go TT there, near homes or in a closed area due to noise. For an endurance rider who wants to train very regularly without having to go far in dedicated areas, the Free ride E is a solution. You can make a plot of land in a field, with the owner’s agreement and the neighbors will not complain! Nature lovers either, those who want to walk discreetly in the forest should still be able to do it quietly. Even if the legislation does not take into account whether a motorcycle is noisy or not, you are looked at less askance (experienced during this test). Freeride E offers new possibilities and opens up new horizons…. but not too far away. Autonomy requires !
Strong points
- The concept
- The absence of smoke, noise and vibration
- The engine torque
- Ease of piloting
- Crossing capacities
- The quality of the brakes and suspensions
Weak points
- The lack of versatility linked to autonomy
- The price of spare batteries
- Lack of parking brake
- Mechanical noise on the road
- The kickstand is hard to handle
- Saddle height
The technical sheet of the electric KTM
Some more info on Freeride E-XC.
Prices for motorbike + battery + charger
- Freeride E-SX: € 11,225 including VAT, recommended customer (cross version)
- Freeride E-XC: € 11,525 including VAT, recommended customer (approved Enduro version)
- Additional battery: 3,270 € incl.VAT recommended customer
- Additional charger: 800 € TTC recommended customer
Motorcycles will be available at the end of October.
Distributors will be selected for the sale of these models knowing that they will have to undergo special training. 17 distributors will be approved for the moment. Ultimately, there will be 25 distributors throughout France (update on www.ktm.com by mid-October).
All KTM distributors can inform customers.
Coordinate 3 E-Parks to try the bike:
SENART E-PARK
Dept 305, 77240 POUILLY LE FORT
06 07 11 78 57 (Philippe SOUQUIÈD)
mx.land@wanadoo.fr
epark.senart@orange.fr
ELECTRIC MOTO PARK
100, route de Guemar, 68150 RIBEAUVILLE
07 61 86 01 03
electricmotopark@gmail.com
MECHANICAL POLE OF ALES
Vallon de Fontanes, 30520 SAINT-MARTIN DE VALGALGUES
04 66 30 31 85
http://www.pole-mecanique.fr
.
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